The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-07-06

% shall be happy to-" said the rosy
maiden. 81 didn't think you would
guess my conundrum so soon. But"
smilingly, the enterprising firm of
We. Us Il Co. don't mean to know
what garden full of weeds is.
d" First thing, | am going to start
some sage and other plants in the house
in shallow boxes or more convenient
substitutes. And then we will have
ready some frames outside to use later
that can be covered up on cold days
and nights. Uncle told me also how l
could raise tomatoes, pepper-plants and
those immense double green roses
called cabbages with but very little
expense"
Mamma looked ineXpressibly shocked,
but Lily threw her arms about her
neck, gave her hearty kiss and called
her darling, proud little mamma"
and then went about her work, into
which she infused all her pent-up en-
ergy that had been in reserve so long.
Her mothers caution and grandpa's
encouragement kept her, as she said,
properly balanced in her enthusi-
asm'-a very important factor in the
success of any enterprise.
Uncle John, who was market
gardener, was as good as his word; and
having studied up from some reliable
authorities, she felt quite well posted
as to the proper methods of cultivating
esculent dainties.
The neighbors across the way became
inquisitive at sight of the unusual farm
ing preparations in progress. A straw
berry bed followed in the wake of the
pillow and harrow, and newly-planted
raspberry and blackberry canes gave
promise of future income.
Grandpa's opinions and the books
differed somewhat on technical points,
but his assistance was valuable in many
ways, particularly as he shared quite
heartily in his favorite grandchild's in
terest.
The long rows of green peas and
snap-beans, planted at intervals of two
or three weeks, promised an exhaust
less SUGGESTIONS; and there were crisp
lettuce and cucumbers, beets and
spinach that went on the market gar
dener's load to the city very early in
the morning, and these were little rip
pies, even though they brought only
wholesale prices in the sea of fortune,
the forerunners of the larger waves on
which her ship was steadily approach
ing. Miss Lily developed many bust
ness-like traits, and Uncle John was
justly proud of his protege.
When her particular branch of indus
try was fully established there came
orders from local boarding-houses and
individual summer residents that
brought better prices; so that by the
end of the first autumn her carefully
kept account book showed that, besides
discharging her Indebtedness, she had
something laid aside for the coming
seasons expenditure, and had still left
quite little pocket-money to be indie
pendent on.
All this, besides paying the wages of
boy, which he faithfully earned by
his devotion to his pretty employer, and
for the occasional assistance of some
glad to avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity of obtaining light work.
All through her work she proved sys-
tematic, thorough and persevering;
and, after trial Of two years, even
mamma voted it a success.
For with mammals pride, her own
commendable love of the beautiful and
the employment of the earliest hours OF
the day for her busiest work, she had
kept her original charms, and added tC
them the sparkling attractions that an
active life lends the face. The friends
who criticised most consciously the
propriety of her ventures are now en-.
vious of its popularity, the difficulties
being only rehearsed confidentially
and the successes apparent to every one
One listless maiden, unreasonable
jealous of Lily's popularity and hel
public-spirited activity in institutine
their semi-annual tlower-shows, rashlN
the presence of some ultra-fashionabes
but received such rebuke from Mis-
Lily's self-constituted champions that
she felt impressed with the idea that
active independence was held in greater
repute than genteel dependence.
The interior Of Mrs. Arlington
house has been much modernized. The
library has grown so rapidly as to require
handsome bookcase, while white
| music-lessons and hired piano poin
to the ultimate possession of that luxury
Lily is smart enough to know tina
, too many things at time cannot b.
done well, and her summertime occu
patton has little rivalry other than read
ing and recreative arts. One satisfac
, tory luxury is that of tiny rustic pa
| vilion, EMPOWERED with honeysuckle
| clematis and climbing monthly roses
| and from this watch-tower she over
looks her work, plans, rests and enjoy
| the fragrance of the well-chosen variet,
= of easily cultivated flowers that bloom
r in trim beds over the turf in front of thu
5 garden, making as pleasing a combina
/ ton of the useful and ornamental as i
Miss Lily herself.
The elegant Mr.. Aubrey, so the Cos
S sips affirm, finds it quite as delightful
\ retreat, and quite frequently avail
E himself of its fragrant shade.
? 1t is such an excellent excuse tina
$ he personally presents himself to de
i liver his mothers previously -ordere
> fruit, or often assists in picking it, t.
70 assure Nine. Aubrey that they wer
: fresh from the vines, at least so tn
e understood boy, with very large ears
had overheard him say to Miss Lily.
=, "And that artful girl" so an envi
: Gus critic says, " is so thoroughly dis
T.: interested in so lavishly furnishin